Chapter 1 1 – Game Of The Light And Dark

I unwrapped the large package in my room like a madman. Well, this thing is a treasure for me. I have to save my allowance and work odd jobs to get it.

I couldn't help but smile as the package was opened entirely. It was a virtual reality device, albeit a second-hand item.

Goodbye, my ugly computer that can only play games on the screen. Now is the time to deep dive into virtual reality!

"Let's go!" I opened the cardboard box, then took out its contents: a black box-shaped console, a virtual reality helmet, and cables.

After plugging those things into the power and internet, I put on the VR helmet and lay down on the bed. To hell with cardboard boxes and scattered manual papers. I can tidy it up later.

For a few seconds in the darkness, I heard soft ambient music, followed by the appearance of a white text with stars in the background.

[AXIOM BOX II: A VR Console That Will Deliver a Truth-like Experience]

Ugh. I'm still not used to this console's slogan. It felt very cringe and hard to understand.

[Initializing…]

[Brain wave scanning….]

[You are registered as user Vorn264]

This VR console does use a sophisticated brain wave recognition system. I don't need to enter a username and password.

Before this VR device package came, I had already signed up through a friend's console, so I could start playing games right away.

I've even ordered the store that sells this console to load the games I've bought. That's why I can immediately find a thumbnail of a game I purchased.

[Mistrea: A Fantasy Management Sim Game of Light and Dark]

Fringe Softwork, the maker of this title, is famous for its simulation games. Some of their works have become best sellers and have been discussed for years.

I wanted to play all the games from that developer, but since my money was limited, I chose to buy their newest game. I'll buy another one when there's a discount.

I moved my hand to select the game. With today's VR technology, I feel like I've moved my body like in the real world when I'm still lying on the bed.

My smile widened as the scene in my eyes changed. I was in a vast field filled with green grass under the blue sky, and my skin could feel the refreshing breeze.

The large version of the game's title floated in front of me, and beneath it were a few words.

[Select your alignment:]

[Light]

[Dark]

I move my finger to the 'dark'' option. The scene changed again in an instant. The blue sky was replaced by a stone ceiling, and the air I felt was a bit warm and humid. I was in a cave about the size of four tennis courts.

In the real world, I have to be a good citizen by following the rules. Let me be something else in this realm.

I chose dark alignment by tapping it twice. The texts in front of me vanished, and a mirror with a frame of dark snakes appeared.

[Customize your avatar]

There's a reflection of a male character in that mirror. Nope. This avatar is too generic. I have to change it.

I fiddled with the customization options, making my character as cool and menacing as possible. It would be boring if I looked like an ordinary human. I will become a demon lord, for f*ck sake.

A few minutes passed, and I walked backward, looking at my work with a smile. Now, I look sturdy with long black hair and a muscular build. Yes, there are still a lot of human elements in my avatar. But, with horns, glowing red eyes, and hideous body tattoos, I'm sure ordinary people would freak out at me.

It's time to play…. Huh?

After the customization section, I found other options.

[Choose your three primary abilities]

There are so many things that I can choose, from the evil ones like the ability to suck blood to the absurd perk like dual genitals. However, there were only a few abilities that caught my attention.

I chose 'fly,' and wings like those of a bat appeared on my back. Just by using my mind, I can flap them as if those things are my actual limbs.

Well, it would be great if I could do things that are impossible in the real world, right?

After replacing my bat wings with feathered ones like the crow's, I chose two other abilities: the adept melee fighter and the skill to disguise myself as a human.

There's no particular reason. I just thought that I should be able to fight as a demon lord, and I think disguises will work in my plans.

To trick humans, the first thing I had to do was look like them.

[Are you sure about your choice?]

[Yes] [No]

My heart was pounding like crazy in anticipation of my adventure. I pressed [Yes].

What happened next was entirely beyond my expectations. I looked down and found that my body was shrinking. Not only that, something like an eggshell started to surround me.

Then, as my body became like a baby, all I could see was pitch blackness. I was trapped in that eggshell.

Hmmm….. Looks like the developer of this game wants to make a good immersion, huh?

[Choose your name]

A keyboard screen appeared before me, and I typed in my usual nickname.

[Vorn]

"Oh, the great lord Vorn. It has been a thousand years since you were defeated." A man's hoarse voice echoed outside after I pressed the enter key. "Finally, after a very long time, I have found you, Lord Vorn. You have been reborn. Rise, O emperor of darkness! Let's rule this world and show them the truth!"

So, he is my first follower after thousands of years?

[Push forward to get out of your shell]

I did that with my two little baby hands. A soft crackling sound appeared, followed by cracks forming in front of me.

[You are free to be anything and do anything. You will tailor your own story]

Interesting.

"Wonderful! Welcome back to this world, Lord Vorn!!!" The hoarse voice echoed again.